Concelebrate with the Holy Father at Luneta

MANILA -Roman Catholic priests based in dioceses outside of the Philippines may get the rare opportunity to celebrate the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass with the Holy Father, Pope Francis, on January 18, 2015, 3and00PM at Quirino Grandstand in Luneta Park, Manila. Rev. Fr. Rufino Sescon, Jr., chancellor of the Archdiocese of Manila and executive secretary of the Steering Committee of the Papal Visit to the Philippines 2015, announced that 200 slots would be given to concelebrating priests from dioceses outside of the Philippines. Priests assigned in the Philippines need to coordinate with their respective dioceses about concelebrating for the Papal Mass at Luneta. Once we reach the maximum number, we will immediately close the registration,” said Fr. Sescon who is also the chaplain of Sto. Niño de Paz Chapel in Greenbelt, Makati.Registrants need to submit the following documentsand scanned ID, celebret and ID picture, vialunetamass@gmail.com. Once these are received, the documents will be screened by the sub-committee for concelebrants at the Luneta Mass. Once their application is approved, an email notification will be sent to the approved applicants by the sub-committee.Identification badges (IDs) will be issued to priests approved to concelebrate. They need to personally claim the ID badges. Fr. Sescon advises the priests to bring the original documents submitted for verification. Releasing of the IDs will be from January 12-14, 2015 only. The venue for the release of the IDs will be announced soon.Fr. Sescon invites his brother priests to grab this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. This is a grace-filled occasion in our priestly life and ministry — to break bread with our Holy Father. May this experience inspire us further to become merciful and compassionate shepherds. May we become priests rich in mercy and compassion. Let us also share the blessings of this Holy Mass with our brother priests, especially those who are sick and in crisis,” he said.He prays that priests and those who will not able to be physically present at the Mass, to offer your sacrifices with us so that the graces of this Holy Mass may truly be overflowing”. The Holy Eucharist is a spiritual communion of the faithful, especially among the fraternity of priests. It is a celebration of the whole Church. The sick and the weak — they are still part of this historic occasion.” (Rommel Lopez/CBCPNews)